With matching funds from the Queensland government and a range of other project partners across the state these projects represent an investment in the Queensland tourism industry of over $1.3 million.
Four projects will receive funding through the Tourism Demand Driver Infrastructure (TDDI) programme, designed to boost regional tourism and help attract more visitors to the state.
These projects are in addition to eight TDDI projects worth over $2.1 million announced in October 2015.
The projects receiving funding are:
- Tourism Industry Capability – Skills development programmes for small-to-medium tourism operators in regional Queensland
- DestinationQ – taking outcomes from the 2015 DestinationQ Forum to regional areas
- Experience Development "On Tour" – building the capacity of small-to-medium tourism businesses
- Implementation of the Embracing 2018: Gold Coast Quality Service Project – industry-led service excellence training
Federal Minister for Tourism and International Education, Senator Richard Colbeck, said the projects would allow Queensland tourism businesses to improve quality and capability and further capitalise on the tourism boom.
"Queensland is a world-class tourist destination and this funding will help the industry to meet its Tourism 2020 growth targets and help businesses remain sustainable and profitable into the future.
"The TDDI programme will invest $43.1 million over four years – including $7.8 million in Queensland – to improve tourism infrastructure and provide a boost to local attractions and the businesses that depend on them, particularly in regional areas.
"The projects announced today focus on improving industry capability and fostering experience development across the state. The Embracing 2018: Gold Coast Quality Service Project will boost excellence in customer service on the Gold Coast in the lead up to the 2018 Commonwealth Games."
Minister for Tourism and Major Events Kate Jones congratulated the successful applicants, and said the winning projects would help build the tourism industry’s ability to offer better experiences for Queensland visitors.
"Enhanced visitor experience is likely to attract more visitors to Queensland, which will ultimately create more business opportunities and more jobs for Queenslanders," Jones said.
"These are exciting initiatives that will make a real difference to our tourism operators and our visitors, by improving the quality and delivery of tourism products, services and experiences.
